I have more of an issue with the fasteners holding the skid plates or fabric belly pans rusting than anything else. Why? Because when ever I do an oil change on a trade-in F150, just about every fastener I need to remove to do the oil change is rusted to hell and may snap on me...these are usually only a couple years old as well. Even the only second generation Raptor I've worked on, less than 60K miles on when it was traded in, and one of the skid plate bolts snapped due to rust.

Also remember a lot of the trucks people buy sit on the lot for weeks or even months at a time. Plenty of time for humidity to cause parts to rust. When I do pre delivery inspections, vehicles come in with anywhere from 1 mile to over 100 miles from the factory. These have some rust before they get to the dealer lot. If you don't want more rust, then pay for the rust protection. Cost of building vehicles is getting more and more expensive thanks in part to the workers.

 

Vehicles parked in dirt or grass lots definitely corrode more. Look at all the photos of currently built, but undelivered trucks parked where er they can put them. Those trucks are ones that I would want to avoid.

 

Glad I put mine in early.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/f...tag=MSFf70f0e2

70,000

 

It’s impressive for sure, but the time will come when dealer lots are filled with them. I bought my Tesla two years ago because a hand disability got worse and I needed help steering or to stop driving. It was the best purchase I’ve ever made; driving a regular car or truck has been a real issue for me. My doctors may have figured that out, but regardless I am absolutely sold on the benefits of owning an electric vehicle. It really is much more convenient. I would have placed an order on launch night tonight if I knew for sure I wouldn’t need the steering assistance. No big deal, I expect later next year supply will catch up with demand and I’ll be able to find a deal.

 

I put mine in before the debut video was finished. I wonder where I am on the list. I might try to lease one to be more affordable while I pay off my 2019 and keep the miles off it. That would help me immensely, and then I could really see if I like the lightning and can adjust to the charging task long term.

 

It all depends on your daily use. If you routinely drive less than 150 miles per day and have a 240v connection to charge from, you will absolutely love it. Plug in when you get home, forget about it, and wake up each morning with a full "Tank."

Seriously, it's great. I really hesitate at the idea of going back to a gas truck. I charge every night and forget about the rest; it's that easy.

 

So is this the end of the line for ICE F150's? Only EV drivetrains from now on for 1/2 ton Fords?

I've driven nothing but Fords for several decades now, and I'm in the camp that believes "if anybody can, Ford can". But, an electric truck is not practical for the way I use a truck. Presumably the F250/350/etc will still be available as oil burners?

 

Not at all.

Nothing in this introduction suggested these would replace the regular F150s, which just got a redesign for this model year. It's a separate model that will be sold alongside the F150.

 

Think of it as another specialty F150, Gen 3 lightning. Sort of like the gen 1&2, or the Raptor.

​​​​

 

No way, another manor update for the 5.0 and the new 3.5 PowerBoost hybrid. ICEs are here for a long time to come.

 

I’m a die hard Ford guy. Ive been a diesel guy for about 24+ years. Logged ALOT of miles in Ford trucks. Had about 24-26 Ford trucks. Drive a 3.0L Stroke now. I just can’t get this darn lightning out of my head. Just to be part of this new platform for the F-150 would be exciting. I think that despite the mild 35-40k I put on a year, I could learn to adapt to this electric technology WHILE enjoying it… immensely. I’ve started to track my daily mileage to see if I can adapt to the limited range per charges. So far, so good. I’m even starting to embrace the “heck, let’s grab lunch while the lightning charges” attitude in case I’d venture to take a trip with it let’s say 500-600 miles from home. I think I could save about $200 in fuel a month against higher my mpg 3.0L, even after charging daily. $2,400 a year savings plus lower maintenance would be good for a change. If I leased with the option to buy, it might be even more of a realistic plan.

 

Then you wont be Smokewagun anymore, you’ll be Voltwagun.

 

😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

LOVE IT!

 

....or voltswagun. There's a lot of them in that battery pack.

 

Ugh. I sure hope I can swing it. I just don’t know if I will jump at 300 miles. 500, okay. I haven’t seen many chargers in the woods up north. I’ll look stupid sitting around a campfire while a portable generator charges my lightning. 😆